Medfield Nonprofits and Charities

The Cultural Alliance of Medfield not only has a fantastic strategic vision for arts and cultural opportunities in Medfield, but it also exercises a can-do, roll-your-sleeves up mindset to make initiatives happen. Initiatives include securing a town arts funding match to double state dollars, obtaining a 99-year lease from the state for the Medfield State Hospital sites targeted for arts programming, and creating the new Straw Hat Park as a place to relax in the center of town. None of these projects (and more) would have happened without The Cultural Alliance of Medfield. It should be noted that the Alliance works especially hard at pulling together like-minded residents and area organizations, to collaborate on events and other initiatives, including the recent one at the Medfield State Hospital site.

Every step of this scary process of adopting a pet that one has never met before went smoothly with this well-run and honest organization. <br><br>We almost gave up our pet search. Many futile stops at the local shelter with almost disinterested staff, not even willing to let us know when/if they'd have dogs of the type we were looking for, non-aggressive and good with other pets and small children and black lab mix. We had donated to them many times but are disillusioned now with them. Who has a year or more to waste on stopping in often (when it's not close by and we work full-time at home)? <br><br>The Internet search process is so very time consuming and, for us, mostly yielded. "The pet you inquired about is already taken/not available...." We've heard that same story from many other people looking to adopt a pet. The best advice one of the many places we had contacted in vain about a certain pet depicted on Petfinder was to suggest that we search for a "foster-based" rescue in our area. --- A search for just such rescues did the trick. We found and can highly recommend Forever Home Rescue New England.<br><br>Once we found this rescue and no longer fixated on a particularly cute pet picture, we inquired about an older than cutest-stage dog that wasn't love at first (internet photo) sight, little Missy. <br><br>When we learned she was indeed available, the process went great: The thorough interview, the timely notification of being approved to adopt after they checked our references, the invitation to let us speak with the dog's foster Mom in TN via Facetime and even getting to see the dog through that medium, all helped us make the decision to adopt this particular dog. All the rescue workers/volunteers worked together and with us without missing a beat. The transport coordinator let us know the departure time of the pet transport from TN and ETA in Medfield, MA and when to pick her up, supplying even photos of the progress made and the dog's arrival at the shelter. So great!<br><br>We adore our little pup Missy from originally Mississippi, then fostered in Tennessee, and are very grateful to Forever Home Rescue for making this scary process so reassuring. They do not tell you just sunny tales and are very realistic, e.g., our dog was described as shy and skittish, and yes, she is. But as she learns to trust, she is developing more courage. She comes when we call her, even outside. She learned about falling leaves and doesn't jump anymore when she sees them move. She conquered her car sickness and is starting to like riding in the car now. She loves playing frisbee and running lightning fast. She still has the occasional little accident in the house but seems to be getting better with that, too.<br><br>Every day is a new adventure for this almost one-year old pup.<br><br>We are happy to have her and thank each person who helped move us through this process, especially Lynn, the foster Mom.<br><br>The Nicholsons, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Dear Bill and Melinda,<br /><br />Face the face that faces you'This is the challenge of Mustard Seed. <br /><br />Mustard Seed Communities is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that began in 1978 serving the impoverished community of Kingston, Jamaica, as a home for abandoned and disabled children. Over the last 38 years MSC has greatly expanded and now serves in FOUR countries (Jamaica, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, and Dominican republic). We care for over 600 children who belong to the most vulnerable, forgotten, and marginalized groups of society. The members of our communities range from the ages of 6 months to 50 years old. They have a variety of physical, and mental illnesses such as: Down's syndrome, failure to thrive, cerebral palsy, hydrocephaly, autism, microcephaly, blindness, and mental illness. These children come to MSC from incredibly difficult living conditions. MSC aims to improve the economic, social and spiritual conditions for all of the children they care for and to provide a safe loving home for them to live. <br />The small seed planted nearly 40 years ago to serve a handful of abandoned children on the streets of Jamaica, now provides a place of hope and dignity for hundreds of people. Children and adults with HIV/AIDS, and young mothers in crisis find shelter and love in our residential care programs. Entire communities find empowerment through sharing and training programs that combat malnutrition, improve access to education, and provide pathways out of poverty. <br />I have served MSC for 5 years and have visited over 7 orphanages in both Jamaica and Nicaragua. The need is great there! Even after so many visits, it is still so difficult to put into words the beauty among the devastation that I witness. The children we serve at MSC were once cast away, but are now living in beautiful homes where they have the chance to heal and receive the loving care they so desperately need and deserve. Over the years I have worked to transform orphanages from termite infested wooden structures to sturdy cinder block homes. I have held the hand of a boy named Wilfredo while he took his first steps without his legs set in casts for the first time in his life. He was 12! I have witnessed transformation of body, mind, soul and spirit. <br />It never ceases to amaze me how much love you receive from just a smile. I always receive so much more than I give.<br /><br />Mustard Seed's goal is to provide a safe, healthy, loving environment for every child and to ensure that they will never again be abandoned, overlooked or rejected. Once a child becomes a part of the MSC family they are FOreVER a Mustard Seed child. These children, despite their suffering, have somehow pierced the meaning of true joy and that is a priceless gift imparted to all who experience them. Your gift will change their lives forever!<br />Please know that Missionaries pay for 100% of their travel expenses which means 100% of your donation will go directly to the MSC children. <br /><br />If you would like to learn more about Mustard Seed, please visit their website at go.mustardseed.com/goto/theresamartin. <br /><br />https://goo.gl/photos/QXuCFXRD8HYTqD9n9<br /><br />God Bless,<br />Theresa Martin<br />